Family of 6 - strategies

[mum2simon]

Hello all!

We are a family of six, weighing our options for vacation this year. I have four boys (14, 12, 9 and 6). We had a Disney vacation booked for 2020 and decided to postpone until Aug 2021. Now with some of the deals that Universal is offering, we are considering Universal in early May this year instead of Disney (and postponing Disney to 2022)

Our last visit to Universal was in 2018 without kids (woot! so fun...hahaha), and our kids have never been to Universal. Because we are six, our room options are limited. I received a good deal from Universal to upgrade to a family suite at Cabana Bay for the cost of a regular room and we are thinking seasonal passes (and then visiting again for a few days on our '22 Disney trip)

Now, for our 2018 trip, we stayed at Royal Pacific and had express passes and loved the experience. The big question - Will I regret being there for a week with four kids and no EP? The cost of two rooms at RP is out of our price range for this trip (It would be $4K for 7 nights vs. $1K for 7 nights at Cabana).

Is there another option I haven't considered for EPs? I thought about booking a ghost night at RP, but I could only book for 5 people for one room and we are six (or do I do that and have it cover the three older kids who are more likely to ride the bigger rides?)

Thank you for any thoughts you have!

 

[bchbetha]

With 7 nights you will be fine without Express Passes. Take advantage of early entry. Use the app to check wait times and plan accordingly. A 2 bedroom family suite at Cabana Bay or Sapphire Falls would be good.

 

[AJA]

We never worry about EP when we have 5+ days.

Use the morning early entry (if available) or as early as possible for the most popular rides and you will be fine.

Editing to add, the older kiddos can do the single rider lines as long as they don’t mind riding alone.
Our daughter started going through the single rider lines by herself around age 12 (as soon as she was tall enough to ride Hulk).

 

[mum2simon]

That's a great idea, I am sure the 14 and 12 will want to ride several times if they are able.

 

[AJA]

That's a great idea, I am sure the 14 and 12 will want to ride several times if they are able.

The single rider lines will work great for your family. My daughter can usually squeeze in an extra ride on hulk while I’m visiting the restroom/picking up a drink or quick treat.

If single rider lines are back by then. I guess I am hoping things are more normal going into summer!
Even without them you will be fine with a full week

 

[cfoxga]

It is unfortunate that they don't have any 6 person rooms at the deluxe hotels that don't cost a ton. As others have said, you can get by without EPs since you are there so long. The downside is having to get up early for EE each morning, but I doubt the kids will mind.

One other consideration is ESS/ESD. They have a 2-bedroom suite that might work out better for you space wise. Parents get their own room, and the kids share the other two beds. There is a big table for breakfast as well. Should be a bit cheaper than CB as well...

 

[mum2simon]

It is unfortunate that they don't have any 6 person rooms at the deluxe hotels that don't cost a ton. As others have said, you can get by without EPs since you are there so long. The downside is having to get up early for EE each morning, but I doubt the kids will mind.

One other consideration is ESS/ESD. They have a 2-bedroom suite that might work out better for you space wise. Parents get their own room, and the kids share the other two beds. There is a big table for breakfast as well. Should be a bit cheaper than CB as well...

newbie to the universal lingo - what is ESS/ESD? We-are looking at $140/n at CB for a family suite with a promo

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Endless Summer Surfside / Dockside - the new value hotels. They're also eligible for the early entry perk.

 

[EveDallas]

newbie to the universal lingo - what is ESS/ESD? We-are looking at $140/n at CB for a family suite with a promo

I love CB but I think one of the Endless Sumer resorts would be better for your family. They are generally a bit cheaper than CB but the biggest thing is three actual beds versus two beds and a pull out sofa at CB.